No matter what the subject of their films, the results have always been nothing less than special. We are speaking here
of the films of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, and A Canterbury Tale is no exception, it illustrates,
perfectly the "very Englishness" of the English, if that makes sense. Set in war time England the story follows four people
(two soldiers, a woman and a local magistrate) as they eventually make a modern day pilgrimage to Canterbury. Each has their
own personal problem and worry mostly brought on by the war. Their stories intertwine with each other as they become acquainted
on their journey. The end results are quite special. The end results were probably dictated by the need for an uplifting movie
during the War but the results have neither the of the feelings of being maudlin or contrived and hold up very well
after fifty years.It is tempting, as it always is with a film like this, to single out individual performances
by the cast members but this is clearly an ensemble piece and all, from the major to the minor
roles, are simply superb. A Canterbury Tale is true gem of a film.